Overall, there are only small differences between constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and bimanual training (BIM) in improving upper limb activity outcomes for children with congenital hemiplegia, say researchers in an article published in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. Results generally reflect specificity of practice, they add, with CIMT improving unimanual capacity and BIM improving bimanual performance.

After concealed random allocation, there was no baseline difference between groups. CIMT had superior outcomes compared with BIM for unimanual capacity at 26 weeks (estimated mean difference [EMD] 4.4). There was no other significant difference between groups post-intervention. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in bimanual performance at 3 weeks, with gains maintained by BIM at 26 weeks (EMD 2.3).